Mastering the skills of Assemblage Art: Challenges of Sculpture Students of Bolgatanga Polytechnic

Abstract

The study was an action research carried out by a team of lecturers at the Industrial Art Department of Bolgatanga Polytechnic, Ghana. The research, which made use of qualitative instruments such as questionnaires, interviews, observations and journal recordings, sorts to find out the root cause(s) of low interest in assemblage sculpture by second and third year students studying at the Department. Evidence from the study clearly showed that the students were challenged in many ways, which hindered their creativity and general performance. After varying the teaching approaches and taking “action” by introducing innovative measures, it was realized that there was an appreciable improvement in the academic performance and enthusiasm of the students towards the Assemblage course. The findings of the study depict examples of challenges that could be encountered by art students at the tertiary level, and steps that could be taken by lecturers to uncover the constraints and meliorate the situation.

Keywords: Action research, Assemblage Sculpture, Junk Art, Teaching Assemblage Sculpture, Art Education